Despite the heavy rains and the challenges of ministering in Africa, something powerful happened.
The city of Shakiso is famous for its massive gold mines. Companies from all over the world come here to dig into this earth, but we came seeking something far more precious than gold: we came for souls.
And a mighty move of God deeply impacted the entire region!
Our arrival was met with so much excitement! The local church organized a motorcade, and people were pouring out of their homes, curious to see what was happening. Right there during the welcome, I preached on the streets and prayed over the city, inviting everyone to join us. You could just feel the atmosphere of expectancy and celebration.
Then, an unexpected challenge hit. Torrential rains arrived about a month earlier than usual, making it a battle just to get into the city. The dirt roads were washed out, which unfortunately kept the caravans from the mountains and the countryside from reaching the crusade.
But the hunger for God was greater than the obstacles! On the first day of the conference, I taught on healing, and so many people testified to miracles. On the second day, we prayed for the infilling of the Holy Spirit, and there was such a powerful outpouring! So many people—especially the youth—had life-changing encounters with the power of God. I truly believe that from this new generation, missionaries, evangelists, pastors, and leaders will rise up to take the Gospel to all of Ethiopia and to the nations.
The first few days of the crusade were hit hard by the rains, too. But people didn’t let that stop them! They trekked through the mud and traveled long distances just to be there. In response to their faith, Jesus moved in power, bringing salvation and miracles to the field.
God truly answered our prayers; the weather cleared up, and by the second day of the crusade, a massive crowd gathered. The harvest of souls was just extraordinary, with thousands of people surrendering their lives to Jesus.
The miracles were absolutely life-changing:
- A precious lady who had been using a cane for over four years due to agonizing pain was healed instantly. She threw her cane aside and started dancing right there in front of the crowd, celebrating what God had done!
- A young man who was blind in his left eye received his sight. He was so overcome with emotion, weeping and dancing as he testified to the miracle he’d received.
- Another young man, deaf in his left ear, was healed as well. When the translator whispered a word into his ear, he repeated it perfectly. When he realized he could hear, he fell to his knees on the platform, worshiping God with such deep gratitude while the whole crowd erupted in praise and glorified the name of the Lord.
By the third and final day of the crusade, the rains finally stopped. With the roads drying out, even bigger crowds made it, and the atmosphere was just electric with joy. Local church choirs came out in their traditional dress, bringing all the color and beauty of their rich African culture to the meeting.
I preached on the Widow of Nain, and you could see the Gospel touching hearts all across the field. When the altar call was given, a sea of people came forward to give their lives to Christ. It brought so much joy to our local pastors and leaders!
After the message, I prayed for the sick, asking for the resurrection power of Jesus to touch them. A long line of testimonies began to form as people shared the miracles that had just occurred.
Some of the most powerful miracles involved tumors vanishing instantly:
- One woman had been carrying a lump on her back the size of a fist for nine years. She testified that she felt something leave her body during prayer, and when she reached back to touch it, the lump was completely gone!
- Another woman had lived for over twenty years with a tumor the size of a soccer ball in her abdomen. She felt the power of God hit her body and, through her tears, declared that the tumor had vanished and she was completely whole.
- Another incredible testimony came from a woman who had been deaf since she was a child after being hit in the head with a metal bar. During the crusade, the power of God touched her, and she began hearing perfectly in both ears! She was sobbing as she told everyone what Jesus had done for her.
So many other miracles broke out throughout the night. The field was filled with joy, praise, and thanksgiving as the name of Jesus was lifted high before the entire multitude.
The Shakiso crusade has left a permanent mark on this region: souls saved, bodies healed, the church strengthened, and a new generation fired up to fulfill God’s calling in Ethiopia and beyond.
None of this would be possible without you! We are so deeply grateful for your prayers and your financial support. Every soul saved, every body healed, and every person reached is fruit for your account as well.
We’re pressing forward, and we invite you to keep standing with us in this mission, seeking more treasures for Jesus: precious lives that still need to hear the Gospel.
Together, we’ll keep taking the Gospel to the ends of the earth.
With deep gratitude,
Rubens Cunha and Team
